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The National Restaurants’ Association of India (NRAI) said that the food and beverage industry is coming together to develop and identify alternative digital platforms that will bridge the gap between restaurants and food delivery platforms. The objective, it said, is to create a seamless 'digital dining' experience that will make the customers feel safe while trying to preserve the warmth and emotion of dining out.

“Aggregators have become digital landlords. While they came in to solve a genuine problem, their one-sided policies are destroying the business, especially small restaurants. The industry is working together to create an alternate technology solution to reorient and sustain their businesses in the post-Covid-19 world,” said Thomas Fenn, NRAI managing committee member.

The focus for the NRAI is on easy reconciliation, transparent pricing, cheaper delivery, and protection of customer data. The solution will be driven by customer loyalty, omnichannel online sales, integrated payment gateways and digitised delivery logistics, he said.

“They are even exploring to leverage social media platforms to reach out to customers. The NRAI has also launched a Rise For Restaurants (R4R) programme for customers to support their favourite restaurants that will help them pay employees, retain staff, and tide them through this lockdown,” Fenn said.

Clarifying that this was not a move to vilify any food delivery service, NRAI president Anurag Katriar told Deccan Chronicle that this move was taken in the interests of the industry and was not against any service provider.

DRIVERS ARE bfocus for the NRAI is on easy reconciliation, transparent pricing, cheaper delivery, and protection of customer data. The solution will be driven by customer loyalty, omnichannel online sales, integrated payment gateways and digitised delivery logistics, he said.